trail-blazing
Forging new paths
Trail-blazing means pioneering or innovative—being the first to explore new territory, whether literal or figurative.
Originally it referred to marking a path through wilderness by cutting blazes into trees.
Now it typically describes groundbreaking work in any field: trail-blazing research in genetics, a trail-blazing filmmaker.
Also spelled trailblazing.
Introducing radical new ideas
- cutting-edgeAt innovation's forefront
- breakthroughSudden important advance
- revolutionarySeeking fundamental systemic change
- pioneeringFirst to explore territory
visionary · disruptive · inventive · forward-thinking · trendsetting · novel · ingenious · original
One who discovers routes
- frontierEdge of settlement
- explorerOne who investigates unfamiliar regions
- scoutOne who reconnoiters
- expeditionOrganized exploratory journey
adventurer · wilderness · uncharted · discovery · terrain · navigation · bushwhacking · backcountry
Attacking cherished beliefs
- unconventionalDeparting from standard practice
- maverickIndependent-minded rule-breaker
- unorthodoxContrary to accepted practice
- rebelAuthority defier
avant-garde · radical · independent · freethinking · defiant · renegade · provocative · boundary-pushing
groundbreaking
Introducing radical new ideas
- cutting-edgeAt innovation's forefront
- breakthroughSudden important advance
- revolutionarySeeking fundamental systemic change
pioneering · visionary · disruptive · inventive · forward-thinking · trendsetting · novel · ingenious · original · progressive
pathfinder
One who discovers routes
expedition · adventurer · wilderness · uncharted · discovery · terrain · navigation · bushwhacking · backcountry · trailhead
iconoclastic
Attacking cherished beliefs
- unconventionalDeparting from standard practice
- maverickIndependent-minded rule-breaker
- unorthodoxContrary to accepted practice
rebel · avant-garde · radical · independent · freethinking · defiant · renegade · provocative · boundary-pushing · rule-breaking
trail-blazingconventional
Following accepted practices
imitative · derivative · traditional · unoriginal · orthodox
trail-blazingfollowing
Coming after another
follower · trailing · imitative · sheep-like · me-too
trail-blazingcautious
Careful to avoid risk
timid · risk-averse · safe · conservative · unadventurous